MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice has announced an investigation into a group of protesters in Minnesota who disrupted services at a church where a local official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly serves as pastor.
A livestreamed video shared by Black Lives Matter Minnesota shows attendees chanting 'ICE out' and 'Justice for Renee Good' during services at the Cities Church in St. Paul. Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed by an ICE agent amid heightened immigration enforcement in the area.
The protesters claim Pastor David Easterwood also oversees the local ICE office, which has faced accusations of violent tactics and unlawful arrests. U.S. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon condemned the protest, stating that desecrating a house of worship violates federal laws protecting such spaces.
Community leaders, including Nekima Levy Armstrong, have criticized the DOJ's investigation as a distraction from the harmful actions of federal agents in the community. Armstrong emphasized that the presence of a church leader overseeing ICE operations is deeply concerning, urging a re-evaluation of priorities among those disturbed by the protest.
The church, identified as Cities Church, lists Easterwood as a pastor on its website. Previous court documents link him to the local ICE field office and he has defended the agency's methods, asserting agents face increased threats and require measures to control crowds.
Monday’s protest and the ensuing investigation highlight the ongoing conflict surrounding ICE's impact on immigrant communities and civil rights advocacy efforts, reflecting broader societal upheaval over immigration policies in the United States.
